Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyers For The Baltimore Area

The lawyers of Hochberg, Costello & Baron have many years of experience with Maryland workers’ compensation as well as federal workers’ compensation claims. Our prompt legal assistance helps injured workers secure full benefits under this important safety net.

If you were injured on the job, we can steer you to proper treatment to heal as quickly and fully as possible. We can advocate for you if your claim is denied or there are problems with your disability benefits or medical care. Our attorneys have helped thousands of people in Towson and northern Maryland stand up for their rights after a workplace injury.

WE REPRESENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES TOO
Attorney Scott Baron is among the few attorneys who practices in federal workers’ comp. He assists U.S. government employees with claims and appeals under the Federal Employment Compensation Act (FECA). It’s important to work with a lawyer who understands the unique rules and remedies under the federal system.

Your Benefits Under Maryland Workers’ Compensation

Maryland Workers’ Compensation was established in 1914 to protect the injured employee. It has evolved into a system today which provides injured employees with substantial benefits for both the present and the future. There are five basic benefits to which an injured employee is entitled under Maryland Workers’ Compensation laws.

1. Payment Of Medical Expenses

The employer pays for medical expenses related to the injury for the remainder of the claimant’s life (or until treatment is concluded). It does not matter if the claimant continues to work for the employer. These benefits are ongoing and may only be terminated upon a settlement or the receipt of a Medical Set Aside (MSA). In any event, the employer and insurer may contest your right to these benefits at any time during the course of the claim. Our office is prepared to pursue these claims on your behalf now and into the future, including fighting a denial of surgery or other necessary medical treatments.

2. Temporary Total Disability Benefits (Wage Replacement)

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are paid while the employee is disabled and unable to work under a doctor’s care who says the claimant cannot work. The claimant must obtain a disability certificate from a doctor to receive these benefits. These benefits are paid at the rate of two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wage, capped based upon the state’s computation for the average weekly wage for the year of the accident.

Additionally, if an individual is able to return to work part-time on a temporary basis, the law provides for temporary partial disability benefits. This is paid at the rate of 50% of the difference for the hours missed by the employee.

3. Reimbursement For Out-Of-Pocket Expenses

An injured worker is entitled to receive reimbursement for transportation expenses and other out-of-pocket costs arising from the injury. The mileage expenses are for medical care and treatment related to the claim and the amount per mile is set by the Workers’ Compensation Commission each year.

4. Vocational Rehabilitation

If the injury is so severe that the injured employee is unable to return to his previous position, the employer may be required to find another position for the employee within their physical limitations. If no such position exists, the insurance company may then be required to provide vocational rehabilitation assistance in the form of a vocational counselor to assist the employee in locating new employment within their physical limitations. While an individual is in vocational rehabilitation, they will receive two-thirds of their average weekly wage. Vocational rehabilitation may extend for up to two years. If job placement assistance is unsuccessful, the Commission may order retraining or reeducation.

5. Permanent Partial Disability Or Settlement

The final benefit in workers’ compensation is an award of permanent partial disability or settlement. At the conclusion of the claim when an individual has reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), the claimant is entitled to receive an award of compensation for their disability. This is measured based upon the fourth edition of the American Medical Association Guidelines and five factors to be considered by the Commissioner in rendering their decision. If a permanent partial disability award is received, the disability portion of the claim remains open for five years from the date of the last payment of that award and if no additional disability benefits are received, that portion of the claim is closed.

Instead of an award of compensation, it may be possible for the employee to settle for a lump sum and close the claim. This requires cooperation by the insurance company and employer. In many cases, a settlement is preferred on both sides and whether a claim is appropriate for settlement will be determined based upon the facts of that individual claim.

You Pay No Attorney Fees Under Maryland Workers’ Comp

Finally, please note that there are no attorney’s fees ever paid directly by a claimant in a Maryland workers’ compensation claim. All fees must be approved by the Workers’ Compensation Commission of Maryland and are paid out of benefits received from the insurance company.

Key Differences Under Federal Workers’ Compensation

The federal workers’ compensation laws are much more restrictive. There is no insurance company, you deal with the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. While in Maryland you may choose your own doctors for treatment, under federal workers’ comp you may not receive medical care and treatment without prior approval by the Department of Labor. In a federal workers’ compensation claim, you must file certain forms (CA-7) to acquire temporary total disability benefits and permanent impairment benefits. Any claim for permanent impairment benefits is presented under the American Medical Association Guidelines 6th edition which is much more restrictive than the 4th edition used by the State of Maryland.

Finally, in the federal system, you are not entitled to any impairment benefits for injuries to the musculoskeletal system (head, neck, back) as any permanent impairment awards are only to the arms, legs, hands, feet, eyes and those enumerated by statute. Unlike the Maryland system where the attorney is paid by the insurer and is paid a percentage of the benefits received by the claimant, under the federal system, an attorney is not allowed to accept the case on contingency. Therefore, we ask the claimant for a retainer in the amount of $2,500 to be placed in escrow and be charged an hourly rate for time worked on their behalf.

As indicated, this is a very restrictive system notably tilted against the injured employee, so the knowledge and skill of your lawyer matters all the more in a federal workers’ comp claim.

Experienced And Vigorous Representation Of Injured Workers

Hochberg, Costello & Baron is prepared to assist and vigilantly represent each injured employee in pursuit of all of the workers’ compensation benefits to which they are entitled. Our lawyers can appeal a denied claim or incorrect calculation of benefits. We can intervene if there is an attempt to terminate your benefits or force you back to work. We can advise and negotiate on your behalf regarding lump sum settlements of a permanent disability.

Call our Towson law office at 410-886-7573 to schedule a free consultation. You work directly with our highly qualified attorneys.